Iffy for 14+
Gervais' irreverent fable isn't meant for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Invention of Lying is, like most of star Ricky Gervais' humor, irreverent and edgy (though also thought provoking). Nothing is sacred -- including religion (in the movie, the concept of God, aka "The Man in the Sky," is one of the lies that the main character invents). There's no sex on screen, but there's lots of talk about it -- including masturbation references, propositions, use of words like "boobies," etc. Expect a fair bit of salty language, from name-calling ("prick," "bastard," "faggot," "manbitch") to infrequent use of "f--k" and "s--t." Characters drink beer, wine, champagne, and whiskey; there's some drunkenness, and a man is shown driving while intoxicated. Lots of commercial products are shown on screen, with some showing up in scene after scene.
- Families can talk about how the movie uses laughter to address some important ideas. Did it make you think in new ways about concepts like honesty, lying, and faith?
- There are "bad" and "good" lies (fibs or white lies) in this film. Arethere times when you've not told the truth to avoid hurting someone? Are there times when a fib is better than the facts?
- In the movie, much importance is placed on how people look -- and the necessity of having "beautiful children." What is the movie is saying about body image and our obsession with attractiveness?
- How did the filmmakers convey that the story took place in a fantasyworld? Did the settings, characters, and dialogue help you accept thatworld?
The good stuff
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Messages: Although the movie is all about introducing the concept of lying to the world, the end take-away is that the world can be a bleak place if you don't have faith in yourself and in the future. The movie also makes the point that it isn't necessary to say everything you think -- that there are times when telling the truth can be hurtful and unkind. A relationship based on outward appearances and superficial qualities ultimately proves to be unsatisfying and demeaning.
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Role models: Even though he sometimes uses the concept of lying for personal/petty gain, ultimately the main character most often lies in order to help people who are hurt, afraid, or feel hopeless. At a crucial point in the story, he faces a dilemma and must choose between an easy lie or a difficult truth. The kind-hearted leading lady learns to value more than good looks and outward charm.
What to watch for
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Violence: A law enforcement officer roughly pulls a driver out of a car. Some boys pick on an overweight child and push an ice cream cone in his face.
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Sex: Other than a brief kiss, there's no visual sexual activity, but the characters talk about it often ("I'm not going to sleep with him," "touch boobies," "have sex with them," "it arouses me"), and there are a number of references to masturbation. A coupon is presented for "birthday sex," a sign advertising a motel reads: "A cheap hotel for intercourse with a stranger," the main character tests out the idea of lying by propositioning a beautiful woman, etc.
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Language: Occasional obscenities and use of derogatory terms, including: "f--k," "s--t," "manbitch," "crap," "prick," "boobies," "bastard," "faggot," "queer," and "douchebag."
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Consumerism: Plenty of in-your-face product placement throughout: Characters drink Budweiser beer in many scenes; other brands/products include Moet Champagne, Craigslist, and Pizza Hut. Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola advertisements are parodied in several sequences.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Alcoholic beverages are consumed in many scenes: wine, champagne, whiskey. Beer drinking is particularly pervasive. In some sequences, drinking is used to self-medicate for depression and hopelessness. Two characters are shown getting drunk in a bar; one then drives a car unsteadily, weaving across the road for comic effect. One character declares that he's spent the night "throwing up pain killers," while another refers to his own "cocaine habit."
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Absolutely don't let bad apples ruin it for you by gim73
There is alot of hate being written about this great movie. Mostly religious folk are upset because in a world without any fiction whatsoever, religions can't be started. This is a clever movie that touches on human nature, and the relationship between truth and cruelty. This movie just really connected with me as something that everyone should see. I enjoyed that the initial premise that the world is completely without lies stays true (with the exception of the main character) and nobody else is able to 'grasp' the concept of lying. This of course makes many scenes seem very uncomfortable to people who are used to 'white lies' and 'pleasant untruths'. The ads make this movie look like he abuses the power of lies and it corrupts him, but the actual movie goes the opposite direction. Don't bring close minded people to see it, because they simply won't understand it.
1
Religious commentary parading as a comedy--waste of time and money by hollywouldnt
I went to this movie expecting something more along the lines of Liar, Liar--just straight up comedy. I hardly expected it to turn into a tirade mocking Christianity. As a Christian, I generally just steer clear of things that may offend me and let others say and view what they want. However, the ads for this movie completely mask the fact that the biggest lie the movie focuses on is the concept of religion. I am absolutely disappointed and angry that someone would market something so one-sided and offensive as a comedy as a means to get a bigger audience.
4
Clever, Funny, good date movie by HowdyQuinn
Many of the negative reviews of this movie need to be written off because they're reactions from those who cannot handle that the movie takes on religion as a lie. If you realize this is just a movie and look past that, or you're agnostic then this is a movie to be enjoyed. It's a brilliant concept,a clever script and the movie has very funny moments, especailly in scenes with surprise cameos by Jason Bateman, Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Honesty in advertising, business names and making excuses all made for good laughs. I felt the movie came up a bit short in that "honest" people were played up to be naive beyond that of a 3 year old. I also thin k that the script could have found humor and humanity if it had spent a little more time looking at the differnt types of lies and really drove home the point that ultimately we can't lie to ourselves and get away with it. Thumbs up
4
I thought it was vey funny! people are too uptight. by watson1
I'm surprised to read so many bad reviews. I thought it was an extremely funny movie. Although I'll admit that one of the first things I said to my husband upon leaving the theatre was, "I'll bet it offends a lot of Christians", the fact that some of the "lies" he tells people are about the existence of an afterlife or a God (he calls the "man in the sky')
The producers might have anticipated that and chosen not to go that route, although I have to admit I found it funny, even as a Christian myself.
I think people are way too uptight. There are a lot of movies with equally ridiculous premises. Ricky Gervais is very very comical. I had a great time at this movie!
4
Five Word Review by redyeah
Little flat but still funny
1
Do not see by blancoboy7
If you are a Christian you will hate this movie. The entire purpose of which is to portray God as a lie and Christians as mindless idiots. Had to walk out of it is was so over the top.
4
The Invention of Lying by Splotchie
This movie has an excellent premise. First it?s a romantic comedy, but its also a pretty darn good indictment of the gullibility of the human race and our need for religion. Aaahh, light bulb, maybe that?s what?s really at the root of some of these bad reviews. Religion is a huge underlying theme of the movie but also truth in advertising, social stereotyping and shallowness are covered. Pretty serious stuff, right? But there are laughs here so long as the audience is open to the idea of laughing at itself. There are some disconcerting aspects of the film and some contradictions: people spew unwelcome truths without provocation and while one central message seems to be that we should look past physical beauty or lack thereof, Gervais is enamored with a character who from what we?re shown on film almost throughout, offers nothing but her beauty. Even with those little problems this is a comedy that allows you to think and that is often sorely lacking so give it a look see.
1
are you kidding? by modulus0826
the premise of the movie is supposed to be about how one man has the ability to lie, whereas no one on the planet has even felt inclined to tell a lie. But the whole honesty thing got very old, very quick. The screenwriting was terrible, I think me and my wife let out a chuckle at the first thirty seconds of the movie, but that was it. We almost left the theatre three times but had to remind ourselves that we spent $7.50 a piece so we toughed it out. Don't waste your money, rent it if you feel so inclined, but go see something else if you make a trip to the theatre.
3
The Invention of Lyine by diane722
The movie is not sure what it wants to be. Is it a dark comedy or an anti-religion movie? Or both?
The marketers took the funniest scenes and showed them in the previews: this led everyone to believe that it was a straight comedy. It is not very funny, just full of irony and bitterness.
1
Painfully boring. by ler816
The move, actors and story line boring. I usually take great offense at movies that take cheap shots at my faith in God, but this one was so far gone that I couldn't even get into a good tizzy about how they try to make anyone who has faith in God and the afterlife stupid for believing the "lie". I've seen some people on here say they will definitely go see this just because it ticks off Christians. To them, I say "HA HA, go for it." I enjoy the last laugh because you are wasting your money on a really boring movie.